http://www.middelalderfestivalen.no/Yes, I'm aware that this is slightly off-topic, period wise. But most who visit this festival choose to dress up in the period they're interested in. I always dress up in Renaissance costumes.... It's a fun event. Not big, but it's held amongst the Medieval ruins in Old Oslo, and there's usually many foreign participants (Swedish and German salesmen, Italian performers) as well as many Norwegians. The kids in particular enjoys this festival. This year's festival is June 14.th and 15.th, obviously in Oslo.

The above picture is from my second visit to the festival. I had worked on my Raphael dress for some weeks, and I had just finished the lacing in front a few hours before the festival started.... It was so extremely hot I had to skip the sleeves. They were finished, though, it was mostly stuff on the bodice that remained. The stone structure is a ruin of a large Medieval church, Mariakirken.

http://www.kjempestaden.no/Another fun event, which I enjoy even more because of the sea battles and sightseeings it's encorporating. It's held in my hometown of Arendal (South of Norway). The setting is early 1800, with a dash of late 1700 (Rococo - Empire - Regency), but again: people dress up in the period and era they're interested in. It's co-held with a 18.th century festival in Northern Denmark, and participants from each festival visit eachother (as it's held on different dates). This year's festival is June 6.th and 7.th, in Arendal (four hours from Oslo).

The above pictures shows a dress that is actually a replica of a "Phantom of the Opera" costume. I wore it without bustle, so it's very natural-form-like in appearance. It's more "bustly" when worn with correct underpinnings. I've previously dressed up in Regency and Victorian outfits, but this year I'll probably wear my "new" Venetian dress.

If ever I return to your country, I shall aim for the summer and the intriguing events! I visited Norway twice as a child, and learned to cross country ski there - and wondered why we did more mountain climbing on skiis than actual flat land travel - which my young legs would have appreciatied!

This years Kjæmpestaden was lots of fun!! The festival included many nicce craft stands (corsets, plant dyeing of yarn, knitting, laces, wood products etc), a sea battle with canons, the 1812 Overture timed with canons and church bells, a costume parade etc.

I know it's several months ago, but I wanted to share some photos from this years "Oslo Medieval Faire". We were six persons attending in costume - three that I had made, and three that I borrowed from a costume department I occationally work at. OK, so we attended in Renaissance costumes, but few were able to tell the difference anyway...

The faire is held in the Medieval part of Oslo, capital of Norway. It's a really nice area, and it was fun this year. More for grown-ups and less for children - which I think is fair, since it's mostly grown-ups who's there! There were also so many nice costumes there this year, and more people dressing up that usual (it's not required to wear period outfits to attend).

An archer competition, with the correct amount of applauding and booing. To my big surprise, one of my former teachers attended - he is the bearded man in orange at the back.

The group (minus me, I was the photographer) at the roof of the new Norwegian Opera house. It's not far from where the Faire is held. Other people just assumed we were in the cast of some opera, and just had a break...

On our way to the faire. The dresses looked so nice from behind - I love that. The back is often what other people will see, yet it's so easy to neglect.

We're not really dancing... It just looks that way.

The Medieval version of "Oh mother, can I have this?" is surprisingly similar the modern version... Ha-ha!

Hey! I joined in a picture as well! It's still taken by me, into a mirror, but as long as it works... My dress wasn't finished at this stage, it still lacked guards - the skirt totally lack guards, for exampled. But the bodice and overall shape was completed, and most comfortable to wear. Both dresses in the picture are based on Raphael portraits - the red one is "Donna Gravida", and the green one is "Lady with Unicorn".